Sunday, June 22, 2003
Several other employees of the law firm also were served subpoenas.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Federal agents aren't saying why they took part in a traffic stop of a Niles man, who works as an office assistant for a local defense attorney.
Nate Critchfield said he was stopped Tuesday by more than a dozen officers for not signaling a left turn.
The stop was led by Jeff Hoolihan, a Warren police detective who has been on special assignment with a state and federal task force for the past year.
"I wasn't even speeding, but I saw this car with one of those little blue lights flashing, so I pulled over," Critchfield said.
"A few seconds later, about 15 to 20 agents and other law enforcement officials showed up. I was scared to death.
"They tore apart my car like they were looking for the Ark of the Covenant.
"They took the seats out and everything, but they didn't find anything."
Critchfield was charged with driving under suspension and failing to signal before making a left turn. He is to appear in municipal court July 18.
The plates on the car are registered to Maridee Costanzo, the attorney for whom Critchfield works.
"The car belongs to Nate but the plates were in my name until he got things straightened out with his [suspended] license," Costanzo said. "I thought we had gotten things straightened around."
Critchfield said he thought he was allowed to drive.
"The agents also gave me a federal subpoena for office records," Critchfield said.
He declined to say exactly what the subpoena is seeking. He says he has until July 15 to produce the material.
Several other employees of Costanzo's law office also were served subpoenas. Costanzo said she does not know why.
"I'm shocked," she said, adding that she doesn't know what the agents are seeking.
"I've always considered myself to be an asset to the FBI and a dear friend to Special Agent Todd Worth and Special Agent Wallace Sines," Costanzo said.
"They have been guests in both my homes and they have eaten at my table. This is incredible."
Costanzo represented Tony Joy, operator of the city-owned Avalon South Golf Course. She has said she worked well with the FBI and Joy cooperated fully with federal agents.
The FBI recently filed charges against three local contractors regarding work done at the course.
Dante Massacci Jr., 34, of Howland, and Dante Massacci Sr., 79, of Warren, who operated South Main Sand and Gravel, pleaded guilty in December to one count each of violating the Hobbs Act, a federal law targeting public officials who extort bribes.
The Massaccis are preparing to begin prison terms.
James F. Nicolaus, 46, of Warren, was charged Tuesday with bribery in U.S. District Court in Cleveland.
The three are accused of paying thousands of dollars in bribes to an unidentified public official.
All three had ties to work at Avalon South, the government says.